Thursday, January 22, 2015

22 January 2015

“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]

A report from Sovereign Insurance Group of Devon, Pennsylvania, announces Pennsylvania's Act 153 of 2014, a “new state law [that] may significantly impact the way your organization screens employees and volunteers working with youth.”

Act 153, which took effect on 31 December 2014, “states that all Pennsylvania employers are required to obtain, for all employees and volunteers working in direct contact with children and/or youth, extensive Criminal Background checks (1) before hire and (2) every 36 months after that.”

The background checks include a Criminal History Record, a Child Abuse Clearance, and a Federal Criminal History Record.

The new law additionally expands the definition of “mandatory reporter” to include clergy members, including ministers and other spiritual leaders, and adds additional requirements for training and hiring.

"We recognise that the legal landscape has changed. The Church of Scotland has not been supportive of this legislation. We have no plans to change this position on the Church providing same sex marriage ceremonies."